“By traffic cameras along the interstate. Since I was able to recall the exact location where I picked him up, they reviewed footage from that day taken along there. They sent photos of several hitchhikers caught on the traffic cam and I was able to pick out the guy. It took them only a few weeks to discover his identity.”

“Who was he?” Kaegan asked. He figured the reason Sawyer wasn’t asking any questions was because he already had all the details.

“He was a man by the name of Freddie Monroe. According to the FBI, he was also wanted for murder in another state. That of a woman in Gary, Indiana.”

“Well, I’m glad that mystery is solved,” Kaegan said, hoping that would give closure to Ray.

“Thank God for video cameras,” Sawyer said. “I know some people think of them as an invasion of their privacy, but you wouldn’t believe the number of crimes that are solved after we’ve gone back and pulled video footage for businesses. Too bad there weren’t any on the docks,” he said to Kaegan. “Had there been, we would have possibly gotten an image of the person who started that fire on your ship.”

“Well, I’m not waiting for the city zoning board to approve video cameras along the pier. I’ve already hired Isaac to install my own. I hate pulling him out of retirement again, but he agreed to set up the same kind of security system around my ships that I have on Eagle Bend Inlet.”

“That’s a good idea,” Ray said.

“Good morning, Kaegan. Would you like the usual?”

Kaegan glanced up at Bryce. She was smiling and he smiled back. “Yes, the usual is fine.” She nodded and walked off, and his gaze followed her until she was no longer in sight.

“This is going to take some getting used to,” Ray said, grinning.

Kaegan lifted an eyebrow. “What?”

“You and Bryce being nice to each other.”

Kaegan smiled. “Yes, but you might as well get used to it because that’s how things will be from here on out.” He switched his gaze to Sawyer. “Any leads on the fire?”

Sawyer shook his head. “So far, none.”

“I understand you and Brody talked to the people in my office yesterday.”

“We did.”

Bryce reappeared with a cup of coffee and a basket of blueberry muffins. “Thanks, Bryce.”

“You’re welcome, Kaegan.” She smiled at him before turning to walk off.

Ray chuckled. “That’s too much sweetness this time of morning.”

Kaegan rolled his eyes. “Whatever.” He saw Bryce remove her apron as if she was about to leave. “Excuse me for a second. I need to talk to Bryce before she leaves.”

“Fine. Just so you know, you’re next on our list to interview, Kaegan. Will you be available around ten this morning?”

“Yes. Ten is fine.”

* * *

BRYCE SMILED AT the woman who was her first appointment for today. Although they’d never met officially, the woman, Victoria Madaris, was coanchor for the morning talk show Hello, New Orleans. Because there were no television stations in the cove, all their programming came from New Orleans, which meant Victoria Madaris’s face was seen by many living here. She’d always thought the woman was gorgeous on television and she seemed even prettier in person. She looked to be in her midtwenties and Bryce found her to be friendly and down-to-earth.